ALS in Hebrew, one page both sides, 5 x 8, Royal Garden Hotel letterhead, February 19, 1968. In part: “Today we end our stay in Europe and go directly to Washington…Actually, tomorrow begins the second course of our lives, as is often said in the Israel Defense Forces…We came to you immediately after leaving Israel. It is not easy to leave the country for a long period of time…We had the privilege of being in France during the visit by the President of Iraq, 'Arif. It was rather amusing to see the French wooing that shady Iraqi. But it was even more amusing to see how, after all that obvious and well-publicized wooing, they didn't get anything real from him…In England…I got into trouble by being willing to give lectures. The…‘Magbit’ as it is known here, was very efficient and made me work hard. In four days and nights, one of which was the Sabboth, I gave seven speeches, attended six cocktail parties, four meetings with the press, and so forth…All in all, it was a pleasant vacation which enabled us to discharge our tensions, and it constituted the best possible transition period between Israel and the beginning of the assignment in the United States.” Rabin also adds a brief postscript, signing “YR.” In fine, clean condition.
Just a month earlier, Rabin retired from military service to begin the “second course” of life, as he writes here, as Israeli ambassador to the United States. Before arriving in America, he and his family toured Europe, and this long letter of appreciation and frank opinion was sent to a friend who hosted the family during part of this trip. Five months after “that shady” Iraqi, as Rabin described Iraq President Abd ar-Rahman Arif, visited France, he was overthrown in a bloodless coup by the Ba’th military group. Installed as vice president was Saddam Hussein, who ultimately took full control and turned Iraq into a dictatorship. Worth noting, as well, was that Rabin’s own visit to France came at a time when French and Israeli relations in terms of alliance and friendship had recently come to an end as, following the conclusion of the Six-Day War in 1967, France adopted a new foreign policy that favored Arab nations. Rabin served as ambassador until 1973, when he returned to Israel. In April 1974 was appointed Minister of Labor. Only two months later, he was elected Prime Minister, serving until 1977. An interesting letter written at an historic period in Israel’s history and foreshadowing world events to come. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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